Simon Opoka, the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) parliamentary aspirant for Laroo-Pece, has declared his commitment to servant leadership and accountable governance ahead of the January 15, 2026 elections.
Speaking during the Laroo-Pece Parliamentary Debate hosted by NBS Television on Wednesday, Opoka, a trained accountability advisor, emphasized his readiness to serve the people of Laroo-Pece.
“I have come to offer myself as a servant leader. I am educated but not elitist,” he said, highlighting his belief in accessible, people-centered leadership.
A native of Gulu, Opoka spoke fondly of his roots in the region.
“I am born of Gulu, raised in Gulu, bred in Gulu, and a resident of Gulu. I benefitted from youth development through the Catholic Church,” he said, signaling his deep personal connection to the constituency and its development.
Opoka joins a competitive field seeking to unseat the incumbent legislator, Rev. Fr. Charles Onen, who first entered parliament in 2021 as the pioneer MP for the newly created Laroo-Pece constituency. Onen, who ran as an independent, was granted a five-year leave from the Gulu Catholic Archdiocese in October 2020 to participate in active politics.
Other candidates vying for the seat include Democratic Party President and Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs Norbert Mao, Okello Samuel of the Democratic Front (DF), Tony Kitara of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), independent candidate Charles Odokonyero and several others. The 2021 contest, which Onen won, came shortly after Gulu Municipality was elevated to city status and divided into two independent constituencies: Laroo-Pece and Bar-Dege-Layibi.
With less than a month to the polls, Opoka’s emphasis on accountability, local development, and servant leadership is expected to resonate with voters seeking strong, community-focused representation.